*You may check out a copy of each of the required novels from the English Department or purchase your own in order to annotate. We do not have copies of all the choice novels, only some. It is recommended to purchase your own novels.

*You will turn in both novels for an annotation grade and your composition notebook with both of your required assignments for the novels on the first day of class!

Your assignment is to annotate both novels (LOTF and CHOICE). When annotating your text, use any space available— margins, blank pages, empty space on the page, etc. I suggest that you use post-it notes and/or bright pen colors. DO NOT highlight or underline too much. If you highlight and underline everything, nothing will stand out.

While You Read

● Ask questions—Are you confused about something? Write the question down. You might find the answer later, or you might get an opportunity to ask your questions during class discussions.

● React to what you read—Maybe you just read something that made you mad, startled you, or brought you to tears. Write down your reaction to the text so you remember it later.

● Underline, bracket, or circle important passages—Is there a quotation that you think is important or thoughtful? Is there an idea you think might be worth remembering? Is there a “big idea” that is at the foundation of the novel?

* Focus on the essential elements of literature (plot, setting, characterization, point of view and theme) and any other aspects of literature study as instructed by your teacher.

● Consider characterization – is there a passage that reveals something about an important character? Make note of this. Where is each major character introduced in the text? Make note of character entrances. What is significant about this first appearance?

● Make connections—Maybe something you read reminds you of an experience you’ve had or parallels something going on in the world today; perhaps something in the text reminds you of a literary movement you have studied or a philosophy with which you are familiar. Record these connections and they will help you find meaning and relevancy in what you read.

● Track motifs—If you notice a reoccurring idea or pattern as you read, start noting the motif when it takes place. Doing so will help you understand the message that the article is trying to convey.

If you really want to understand the text, consider these ideas to help you make sense of what you’ve read…

● Title your chapters or article sections—Some books and articles have chapter titles already. If they don’t, go back and give them relevant titles when you finish reading the section. Doing so will help you remember what was discussed in that part of the text.

● Summarize what you’ve read—In the empty space at the end of a page, rewrite the text noting the essential points, using only a couple of sentences. You might find that doing so will help you understand what you just read.

● Respond to what you’ve read—Sometimes a summary isn’t enough. You might want to comment on what you just read, give an opinion about a concept, or complain about the author’s insight/viewpoint.

● Make a prediction—Predicting is a great thinking exercise. There is not a better time to do so than after you’ve read one section and before you begin the next. You might be surprised to find your prediction is right or wrong!

Connect ideas to each other or to other texts.

● Note if you experience an epiphany—Note any “ah ha” moments, where you clarify something that you found puzzling.

You MUST complete a log tracing the symbols and biblical allegories found in the novel in your composition notebook. You will be required to log FIVE major symbols and FIVE biblical allegories from the LOTF. Please refer to the example format of the log below!

Additionally, keep a vocab log for unknown words you encounter in your composition notebook. Be sure to include the word, definition, part of speech, connotation and a sentence using the word (10 words or longer).

If any part of this assignment is plagiarized (copied from an online source or another student), you will receive a zero for this major assignment and parents and sponsors will be contacted!

Allegory Definition: Allegory is a figure of speech in which abstract ideas and principles are described in terms of characters, figures and events. It can be employed in prose and poetry to tell a story with a purpose of teaching an idea and a principle or explaining an idea or a principle. The objective of its use is to preach some kind of a moral lesson

Complete the attached novel notes for your choice novel in the second half of your composition notebook in order to give yourself space for responses.

Additionally, keep a vocab log for unknown words you encounter in your composition notebook. Be sure to include the word, definition, part of speech, connotation and a sentence using the word (10 words or longer).

Again if any part of this assignment is plagiarized (copied from an online source or another student), you will receive a zero for this major assignment and parents and sponsors will be contacted!

Directions: Each of the following questions should be answered THOROUGHLY AND COMPLETELY! Your job is to show me you learned SOMETHING about the novel. I may ask questions that stem from the ideas discussed below during graded discussion so be prepared.

Name:

Your Name_________________________________________

1. Write the work’s title in the box above in some memorable way—for example, have fun with fonts!

2. Author: ___________________________________

3. Date of Original Publication: ______________________

4. Title: Explain the significance of the title in the overall work:

5. Setting:

Describe the time and place/s in which the action occurs.

How is it related to the time period in which the work was written?

What is especially significant about the setting/s?

6. Themes : Plot is what happens in a literary work. THEME is what the literary work MEANS, or the message about life that the author is trying to convey. Examine some of the significant subjects (2-4) in the novel and explain how the author uses plot and characterization to convey these. If possible, show how these themes are interconnected. Then, write at least TWO THEMATIC STATEMENTS for the novel.

1.

2.

7. Character:

YOU MUST CHOOSE AT LEAST THREE CHARACTERS FROM YOUR CHOICE NOVEL TO DISCUSS BELOW.

1) Give a brief character description

2) Relay one specific significant incident that involves that character.

3) Discuss that character's importance/significant impact on the work as a whole.

List any minor characters who also play a role in the story:

8. Conflict

Identify the major conflicts (3-5) in the work and explain whether each is internal or external.

9. Connections

Write a detailed paragraph in which you relate your novel to another piece of literature we have studied this year. You must make specific connections and reference specific events and characters.

10. Beginnings & Endings

Describe the opening scene of the work IN DETAIL. What is its impact on the overall work?

Write the last line of the novel and explain the final image in the novel. What do you think it means?

11. Significant Quotes

List FOUR significant quotes from the novel and EXPLAIN the importance of each quote in relation to the story (for example: does the quote relate to character? Theme? Setting? etc.)